Campervan Heating: Diesel, Gas and Electric Options Compared

A campervan without heating is a tent with a ceiling — fine in June, miserable by September. Your choice of heater affects running costs, noise and how you camp, so it is worth choosing carefully. Here is how diesel, gas and electric systems compare for UK conditions.

Diesel heaters: the modern favourite

Diesel air heaters (Webasto, Eberspacher and cheaper aftermarket units) burn the same fuel as the van's engine. They are cheap to run — often £1–£2 for a night of heat — quiet enough to sleep through, and independent of hook-up or gas. Installation is the catch: the unit and routing need professional fitting, and cheap imports can be noisy and unreliable. Expect £500–£1,500 fitted for a good unit.

Gas heating: simple and effective

Gas blown-air heating uses your existing propane or butane supply, so no new fuel to buy. Running costs are moderate, and installation is usually simpler than diesel. The downsides: gas bottles run down quicker in cold weather, condensation can build up if airflow is poor, and you are dependent on a gas supply. Truma gas heaters are the classic UK motorhome fit, typically £600–£1,200 installed.

Electric heating: cheap per night, expensive to set up

On electric hook-up, a fan heater or a heater on the mains is the cheapest way to warm a van — roughly 30p–£1 a night in electricity. Off-grid, electric heating is useless unless you have a serious lithium bank, and even then it drains batteries fast. Heaters built into the motorhome's 12V or gas system are rare; most electric solutions are portable fan heaters at £20–£60.

The quick comparison

1. Diesel — best off-grid, best value per night, costly to install.
2. Gas — simple, dependable, runs down your gas bottle.
3. Electric — cheapest on hook-up, no good off-grid, needs mains.
4. Petrol heaters — a niche alternative that shares the engine tank, common in some conversions.

What to think about for UK winters

• Noise: a cheap diesel heater can sound like a hair dryer — read reviews before buying.
• Ventilation: any heater needs a CO and smoke alarm, full stop.
• Installation: gas and diesel heaters should be fitted by a professional; get it wrong and you risk carbon monoxide.
• Running costs: diesel wins if you are off-grid for weeks; electric wins if you are always on hook-up.

Choosing heating with a van in mind

If you are buying a van with heating as a priority, look for a factory-fitted diesel or Truma gas system — retrofitting is usually £500+ and never as neat. Browse campervans for sale and ask about the heating system before you commit. For the wider cold-weather picture, see our winter living guide.

Fit a carbon monoxide alarm the day you buy any heater. It is the cheapest, most important accessory in the van.